Purpose

• Allocate money for capital asset preservation at the Minnesota Zoo (also referred to as the Minnesota Zoological Garden in the text) to maintain and improve infrastructure and exhibits, and to support modern animal welfare and guest experience.

Main provisions

• Appropriation: The bill would provide 30,000,000 in bond proceeds to the Minnesota Zoological Board for capital asset preservation improvements and betterments to infrastructure and exhibits at the Minnesota Zoo, to be spent under Minnesota Statutes section 16B.307.
• Use of funds: While normally governed by 16B.307, this appropriation may be used to:
  • Replace buildings that are in poor condition, outdated, and no longer support the zoo’s work.
  • Construct and renovate trails and roads on the Minnesota Zoo site.
  • Renovate animal exhibits to meet modern animal welfare standards.
  • Address animal and staff safety issues.
  • Improve the viewing experience for guests.
• Bond financing: The state would sell and issue bonds up to 30,000,000 to fund this appropriation. The bond issuance would follow the terms of Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and comply with the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Significant changes to existing law

• Expands the typical uses of bond proceeds under 16B.307 by explicitly allowing use of these funds for building replacement, site infrastructure upgrades (trails and roads), and enhancements to animal welfare, safety, and guest experience at the Minnesota Zoo.
• Establishes a specific bond-financing mechanism (up to 30,000,000) to fund these capital asset preservation projects, with explicit statutory and constitutional authority for issuing the bonds.

Fiscal details (funding mechanics)

• Source: Bond proceeds fund.
• Amount: Up to 30,000,000.
• Administration: Commissioner of Management and Budget to oversee the sale and issuance of the bonds, under 16A.631 to 16A.675 and Article XI, sections 4 to 7 of the Minnesota Constitution.

Practical impact

• The Minnesota Zoo would undergo major upgrades to buildings, trails, roads, and animal exhibits.
• Improvements aim to meet modern animal welfare standards, boost safety for animals and staff, and enhance the experience for visitors.
• The state would incur debt (bond issuance) to finance these improvements, with future payments governed by state bonding laws and constitutional rules.

Relevant Terms bond proceeds fund; Minnesota Zoo; Minnesota Zoological Garden; capital asset preservation; infrastructure; exhibits; animal welfare standards; animal safety; staff safety; guest viewing experience; bond sale; 16A.631 to 16A.675; 16B.307; Commissioner of Management and Budget; Minnesota Constitution Article XI.